The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Sep 2013
ReviewBurden of tuberculosis in indigenous peoples globally: a systematic review.
The burden of tuberculosis (TB) in the estimated 370 million indigenous peoples worldwide is unknown. ⋯ Where data exist, indigenous peoples were generally found to have higher rates of TB disease than non-indigenous peoples; however, this burden varied greatly. The paucity of published information on TB burden among indigenous peoples highlights the need to implement and improve TB surveillance to better measure and understand global disparities in TB rates.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Sep 2013
ReviewBurden of tuberculosis in indigenous peoples globally: a systematic review.
The burden of tuberculosis (TB) in the estimated 370 million indigenous peoples worldwide is unknown. ⋯ Where data exist, indigenous peoples were generally found to have higher rates of TB disease than non-indigenous peoples; however, this burden varied greatly. The paucity of published information on TB burden among indigenous peoples highlights the need to implement and improve TB surveillance to better measure and understand global disparities in TB rates.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Jun 2013
ReviewMobile health to improve tuberculosis care and control: a call worth making.
The use of mobile phones has substantially increased throughout the world over the last decade. This has opened up opportunities for the integration of mobile phones as health intervention tools in many aspects of health care, including prevention, diagnosis, data collection, treatment and adherence monitoring and surveillance. Several applications have been explored in human immunodeficiency virus care. ⋯ This article summarizes publications and recent developments at the intersection of TB care and m-health. We show that more rigorous studies evaluating different applications and implementation strategies are needed to establish an evidence base that serves to inform policy and decision making. We outline further areas of research that should be addressed and potential challenges that lie ahead if m-health applications are to enhance the accessibility and quality of TB care.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · May 2013
ReviewChronic obstructive pulmonary disease in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health problem. Although COPD is the sixth most common cause of mortality in low- and middle-income countries, most research comes from high-income countries. We set out to systematically review existing published research on COPD in sub-Saharan Africa to identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for further research. ⋯ There is little existing research on COPD in sub-Saharan Africa. Prevalence estimates varied, reflecting the range of populations studied, inconsistent diagnostic criteria and variable methods and methodological quality. Population-representative studies using appropriate case definitions are needed to define the epidemiology of COPD in sub-Saharan Africa and to inform the development of prevention and management strategies for the future.
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Feb 2013
ReviewCompassionate use of and expanded access to new drugs for drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Several new classes of anti-tuberculosis agents are likely to become available in the coming decade. Ensuring prompt access to these drugs for patients without other treatment options is an important medical and public health issue. ⋯ A series of five steps is outlined that will need to be taken by national health bodies, international agencies and non-governmental organizations to prevent undue delays in access to new tuberculosis drugs for patients who could benefit from them. Following these steps can ensure that patients will be able to benefit from access to these drugs, while minimizing the risk of emergence of resistance to the drug.